In December 2000, George W. Bush offered Johnston the post of Energy Secretary. Before he could accept it, Nevada Senator Harry Reid held a news conference and publicly declared his intention to block Johnston's confirmation. “If [Bush] is responding by appointing Bennett Johnston, we should all be afraid[...] I told [Johnston], 'I’m going to do everything I can to prevent you from getting this job.'" Two days later, Johnston declined the post. "I decided it would be unfair to ask my dear wife, Mary, who spent many years being a political widow, to be asked once again to put aside her wishes for my political career. She would've said yes, had I insisted."